Carew backs Milner for World Cup

John Carew believes the versatility of his Aston Villa team-mate James Milner should guarantee him a spot in England’s 2010 World Cup squad.

Striker Carew was Villa’s man of the match in their 5-1 demolition of visiting Bolton, setting up three goals and scoring one himself. But Milner again turned in an excellent performance to issue another reminder to Fabio Capello of his talent ahead of Saturday’s friendly with Brazil.

James Milner

Carew said: “James should be on the plane for the World Cup – absolutely. He has been our most consistent player for a while now and he almost never has a bad game.”

He added: “He can play anywhere on the field, he is right and left footed and can be a very important player for England.

“I know on the right side of midfield he could be up against Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips and David Beckham and I know it is not easy to break into the England first team.

“But still you need a player who can come in and do the job for you, whether it’s on the left or the right without lowering the level of the team, and James fits that bill.

“If he is not first choice he can be a very good second choice and is a player you can put in any situation in the game and almost any position on the field, and know he is good on the ball, and is always consistent.

“That versatility might well help him with England and he deserves to go to the World Cup.”